60 Free Holiday & Christmas Maryland, Virginia, and DC Activities

There are so many free holiday events in DC and Christmas Maryland and Virginia activities, that I had to cap it at 60 this year! I'm so grateful we live in the DMV where you don't have to spend a lot to make wonderful family memories this holiday season. (I also write about 18 paid Holiday Light Displays here.)

Free Holiday and Christmas Events DC Maryland and Virginia Table of Contents

Washington DC Free Things to Do (32)
Maryland Free Activities (9)
Virginia Free Activities (12)

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Free Washington DC Christmas Events and Holiday Activities

Free US Botanic Gardens Holiday Display and Trains - Read our Family Review with Parking Info

Free DC Christmas Tree Lightings and Holiday Markets

US Botanic Gardens Holiday Display and Trains - November 26, 2026 through January 3, 2027, closed December 25. Check out our family's review here with parking info! Wonderful model trains plus an Indoor Conservatory with DC landmarks made of plants. We've visited for the last 10 years now and it's such a wonderful family tradition. Closed on Christmas Day.
Downtown Holiday Market - November 13 to December 23, 2026. Noon to 8 PM daily
DuPont Circle Holiday Market - November 12 and runs through December 23.
City Center - Saturday, Nov 14, 2026, with activities from 5 PM and the countdown at 6 PM, free and no reservation needed. Spectacular 75-foot tree decked with over 155,000 lights and ornaments. Open daily after the lighting.
US Capitol Tree - A beautiful tree from a national forest! A magnificent 53-foot red fir (Abies magnifica).
Embassy of Canada - Stunning tree in their atrium is open to the public during the holiday season. 2.5 blocks north of the US Capitol Tree. Free to view at the Rotunda of the Provinces & Territories in front of the Embassy.

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Union Station Tree and Train Display - Hosted by the Embassy of Norway. I am working to confirm when the lighting will be.
Capitol Hill Neighborhood Tree Lighting - Saturday, November 21, 2026 free and no reservation needed.
National Menorah - The lighting is December 6 2026 at 4 p.m. on the Ellipse. Hanukkah 2026 begins at sundown on Friday, Dec 4 and runs through Dec 12. Read more and see pictures on the Holiday Lights blog here.
National Christmas Tree and 58 Trees - The lighting is December 3, and the tree is open to visit December 7, 2026 through January 1, 2027. Lottery tickets for the ceremony were drawn from Oct 28 to Nov 4, with notifications on Nov 12, so the lottery is closed. Visiting the tree site itself is free. Full tips post from last year's visit here!
The Fairmont Georgetown’s free tree lighting is Tuesday, Dec 1, 5:30 PM.

Photo courtesy of Sara from @LongWalksDC. Thanks so much!

The Light Yards: The Bells are coming back to Yards Park! Free and open to the public from November 23, 2026 – January 1, 2027 Open nightly. This year animated lights inside Candy Canes with buttons etc.

Note: ZooLights at the National Zoo - In 2026, ZooLights is no longer free but $10 per person. More info here!

Full tips post from last year's visit here!

Free Holiday Events at DC Millennium Stage by the Kennedy Center

Check out website from Kennedy center website.

Saturday, November 28, 2026 Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Wednesday December 23, 2026 Messiah Sing-Along

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Free DC Holiday Museum Events for Families

Native Art Market - December 5 - 6, 2026 at the American Indian Museum DC - 10 AM – 5:30 PM EST: "The museum’s annual Native Art Market features award-winning and innovative Indigenous artists from across the Western Hemisphere. This weekend event invites lovers of art and craftsmanship to meet Native artists and learn about traditional Native arts and contemporary Native creativity. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to purchase traditional and contemporary handcrafted artworks, including beadwork, jewelry, paintings, photography, pottery, and sculpture."
Anacostia Community Museum - Waiting to see their December programming but in years past they have had an Angel Making Workshop in December at the Anacostia Community Museum.
And a friendly reminder that most of the Smithsonians are open for FREE on holidays like Thanksgiving and New Year's Day but most are closed on Christmas Day. Check out 17 free museums for kids in DC here!

Maryland Christmas Free Holiday Things to Do

Credit: Jeffrey Socha

National Harbor Tree Light Show - The weekly tree lighting and fireworks began November 7. The Saturday show is at 5:30 PM. I couldn’t confirm the nightly run or end date, so check nationalharbor.com
1. One of the prettiest in the region! And the giant Ferris wheel is all lit up for the holidays too! Light show info here.
2. Also, on Saturday nights from November 8 – December 27 at 5:30 p.m. they will also have a free spectacular fireworks display following the tree lighting show.
Gaylord National Hotel Show - Free in the atrium. Mid November - December 31, 2026. Daily: 7:30 pm, 8:45 pm, 9:15 pm.
Sailing Through the Winter Solstice Frederick - November 20, 2026 - March 2027.
1. "You can view the boats anytime day or night. In fact, you may want to take a look while it's light out and again after it gets dark and the lights come on. Lights typically turn on at sunset, so this is a great time to see them both ways."
German Christmas Village at Baltimore's Inner Harbor - Free! Nov 21–Dec 27, 2026. Hours are Sun–Thu noon–8 and Fri–Sat noon–9, with closures on Mondays and Tuesdays, Nov 25 and Dec 25. The heated tent costs $5 on selected dates.
Hampden’s free “Miracle on 34th Street” runs Nov 28 to Jan 1, 2027
Silver Spring Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Fair - Sunday, December 6, 2026 at Veterans Plaza.
50th Annual Baltimore Holiday Parade - Sunday, December 6, 2026.
32nd Annual Bel Air Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting - Sunday, December 6, 2026.
Tinkergarten Free Lantern Walks all around Maryland.
A Dickens of a Christmas Weekend -Novmber 12, 2026 - January 3, 2027 Chestertown, Maryland.
1. "Set in the Historic District, the festival celebrates the season with live music, carriage rides, Victorian food and drink, costumed characters, entertainment and more."

Holidays and Christmas in Virginia Free Events

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Lucketts Old General Store and Grounds
1. Free to walk around the grounds for lovely holiday displays, bonfires, and food trucks (including Carpedonut!) I wrote about our Christmas Itinerary of all free things here.
Old Town Alexandria - Lovely to walk around the historic streets and numerous Waterfront parks. Their Scottish Parade is Saturday, December 5, 2026 at 11 AM.
Christmas in Middleburg - Dec 5, 2026
1. Join one of the most fun-filled family festivals of the year in Middleburg with activities, special events, great eats, the famous Middleburg Hunt Review, and a mile-long Christmas parade.
  1. Friday - O Holy Night! The Tree Lighting Ceremony and Carols, behind the Pink Box, 12 North Madison St., 5 p.m. on Friday.
  2. Saturday - 8 AM Breakfast with Santa
    1. 11 AM Middleburg Hunt and Hounds Review
    2. 2 PM Christmas Parade
    3. 3 - 6 PM Spirits of Middleburg
  3. Sunday - 2 PM Christmas Pageant
Gulf Branch Park, Arlington - Confirming dates but last year until December 18.
1. Santa mailbox to drop off a letter from your child! If you send a letter by December 18, you will receive a postcard from Santa!
Manassas Christmas Parade - December 4, 2026 at 10 AM (great pics on their site!)
Leesburg Holiday Parade - Saturday, December 12, 2026, 6:00 pm.
Bluemont Vineyard - Lighting of the Vines event is not free but last year they were lit every Thursday to Sunday at 5:30 PM in December.
Scottish Walk Open House at Carlyle House - Alexandria Dec. 6, 2024. Free!
Holiday Walk of Lights Neabsco Regional Park - Woodbridge, VA
1. Back for the 3rd year in a row! our family loves the boardwalk at Neabsco Regional Park and now the Prince William Parks Department has added unique, hand-crafted light displays all along the path!
2. Checking on 2026 dates but last year it was: Fridays to Sundays from December 6 - 22, 2024, and Sensory Night on Tuesday, December 10 where there will be reduced volume and lower lights.
3. Highly recommend checking out their website for all the parking information including a free parking shuttle from local schools.
Free Neighborhood Light Displays - Check out 3 wonderful displays in Burke including the Elf House!
Tinkergarten Free Lantern Walks all around Virginia and Maryland - Checking if they are doing this in 2026.
Ballston Quarter: Had great events last year!